There is something special about working on a baby project. It makes you smile. While knitting this hat you’ll be smiling a lot. Mostly because of the cute colours, and also because this hat knits up so quickly. Below are instructions on how to make this hat seamless (perfect for delicate baby heads) and with a seam at the back (in case you don’t like to knit in the round).
MATERIALS
Yarn – Knitca Delight yarn, 100% superwash merino wool, 150m / 164yds in a 50g / 1.7oz ball: 1 ball of main colour and 1 ball of contrasting colour 1 and 1 ball of contrasting colour 2. Hats in the photo are shown in colours Cardinal, Cobalt Blue and White.
Needles – 3.5mm (US4) double pointed needles (for seamless version of the hat), or straight needles (for a hat with a seam at the back)
Notions – wool needle and 8 stitch markers
SIZE
Newborn, Baby, Toddler
Instructions are given for smaller size, with larger size in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference (slightly stretched) – 36 (41, 46) cm /14 (16, 18)”
Length – 15 (18, 20) cm / 6 (7,8)”
GAUGE
25 stitches and 30 rows = 4” / 10cm in stockinette stitch
COLOUR PATTERNS
Colour pattern 1 (thin stripes)
2 rounds/rows in contrasting colour 1, 2 in main colour, 2 in contrasting colour 1, 2 in contrasting colour 2, [2 in contrasting colour 1, 2 in main colour], repeat brackets to end
Colour pattern 2 (wide stripes)
4 rounds/rows in contrasting colour 1, 4 in contrasting colour 2, [4 in contrasting colour 1, 4 in main colour], repeat brackets to end
INSTRUCTIONS
Seamless hat worked in the round
1. With main colour cast on 88 (96, 104) stitches. Arrange stitches evenly on 4 needles = 22 (24, 26) stitches on each needle. Join for working in the round and place a marker for beginning of the round. Be careful not to twist stitches when joining.
2. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rounds:
[knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches], repeat the brackets to the end of the round.
3. Change to contrasting colour 1 and work according to colour pattern 1 or colour pattern 2 in stockinette stitch in the round (knit all stitches in every round) until the hat measures 9 (12, 14) cm / 3.5 (4.75, 5.5)” from the cast on.
4. Shape crown. Continue to work in established pattern while shaping the crown as follows:
Next round (set up round): [knit 9 (10, 11), knit 2 stitches together, place marker] repeat brackets to end.
Next round (plain round): knit all stitches
Next round (decreasing round): [knit to 2 stitches before marker, knit 2 stitches together, slip marker to the right needle], repeat to end
Repeat “Plain round” and “Decreasing round” until you have 16 stitches left.
Repeat “Plain round” one more time.
5. Cut the yarn leaving a 10cm / 4″ tail. Thread the yarn tail into a wool needle and draw it through remaining 16 stitches. Pull tight and secure.
6. Weave in loose ends.
Hat knit flat with a seam at the back of the hat
1. With main colour cast on 88 (96, 104) stitches.
2. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rows:
[knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches], repeat the brackets to the end of the row.
3. Change to contrasting colour 1 and work according to colour pattern 1 or colour pattern 2 in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches in one row, purl all stitches in the next row) until the hat measures 9 (12, 14) cm / 3.5 (4.75, 5.5)” from the cast on.
4. Shape crown. Continue to work in established pattern while shaping the crown as follows:
Next row (set up row): [knit 9 (10, 11), knit 2 stitches together, place marker] repeat brackets to end. Don’t place a marker after the last repeat.
Next row (plain row): purl all stitches
Next row (decreasing row): [knit to 2 stitches before marker, knit 2 stitches together, slip marker to the right needle], repeat to end
Repeat “Plain row” and “Decreasing row” until you have 16 stitches left.
Repeat “Plain row” one more time.
5. Cut the yarn leaving a 30cm / 12″ tail. Thread the yarn tail into a wool needle and draw it through remaining 16 stitches. Pull tight and secure.
6. With the knit side of the hat facing to you, align two sides of the hat and sew the back seam with yarn tail. Use mattress stitch and start stitching from the top of the hat.
7. Weave in loose ends.
